Wedding Etiquette Around the World — Gifts, Dress, and Guest Manners

Wedding etiquette looks completely different from country to country

The impulse to celebrate is universal, but the amount you give, how you give it, what you wear, and what to avoid can vary enormously depending on where the wedding is. If you’ve been invited to a wedding abroad, it’s worth doing your homework beforehand. Here’s what guests should know, country by country.

Korea

Gift money: cash in a white envelope. Custom favors amounts
       that don't divide evenly by 10 (50,000 / 70,000 /
       100,000 / 150,000 won), scaled to how close you are
       and whether a meal is included.
Envelope: marked "祝結婚" ("Congratulations on the marriage")
       on the front, with the giver's name and affiliation
       on the back.
Dress: neat formal or semi-formal wear. Avoid white, which
       could be mistaken for competing with the bride.
Order of events: registration/gift table → the ceremony →
       traditional post-ceremony bows (pyebaek) and photos
       → a meal (often buffet-style).

50,000 won is the common baseline these days; close friends and family often give 100,000 won or more.
Guests avoid outdressing the bride or wearing anything too revealing.

Japan

Goshūgi (ご祝儀): given in crisp, brand-new bills — using new bills signals that you prepared for the celebration in advance.
Amount: 30,000 yen is standard for a friend. Odd numbers are preferred (an odd number “can’t be split evenly,” which symbolizes a bond that can’t be broken). Even numbers and the number 9 are avoided (4 sounds like “death,“
9 sounds like “suffering”).
Envelope: a decorative envelope with an ornate knot (shūgi- bukuro), carried wrapped in a small cloth (fukusa).
Dress: white is strictly off-limits (it’s the bride’s color).
Men typically wear a black formal suit with a bright tie or accessory.

In Japan, using crisp new bills is the polite move — the exact opposite of funeral etiquette.
Some weddings use a flat “membership fee” system (kaihi-sei), where guests simply pay a set, predetermined amount.

China

Hóngbāo (红包): gift money given in a red envelope — red symbolizes celebration and good fortune.
Amount: numbers like 8 (which sounds like “prosperity”) and
6 (which suggests things going smoothly) are considered lucky. The number 4 (which sounds like “death”) is strictly avoided.
Dress: guests generally avoid red, since it’s reserved for the bride and her family. White and black are also avoided, since they evoke mourning.

Customary amounts vary widely by region.
The celebration typically centers on a large banquet (xǐjiǔ).

The US and the broader West

Gifts: cash is uncommon — buying from the couple’s gift registry (their curated wish list) is the standard.
RSVP: replying to confirm attendance is essential — it directly determines the headcount and meal planning.
Dress: follow the dress code stated on the invitation
(black tie, cocktail, semi-formal, etc.).
Taboo: guests should never wear white — it’s reserved exclusively for the bride.

A registry gift, not cash, is the default — cash gifts are mainly seen among certain close-knit communities or immediate family.
Failing to RSVP is considered a real breach of etiquette.

Europe

Customs vary a lot by country, but registry gifts are common across the UK, France, and much of Western Europe, and some couples instead ask guests to contribute to a honeymoon fund. Dress codes are usually followed strictly, and avoiding white is a near-universal rule.

India

Gift money: given in cash, with the amount ending in 1
(101, 501, or 1,001 rupees) — an amount that doesn’t end in a round zero is considered auspicious, symbolizing a new beginning and continuity.
Dress: bright, colorful outfits are welcomed and expected.
White (associated with mourning) and black are avoided.
Scale: celebrations often span several days, with multiple events (such as the mehndi and sangeet).

Vibrant, traditional colors — reds and golds especially — are genuinely welcomed rather than seen as showing up the couple.

Quick comparison

Country/region	Gift	Bills	Key taboo
Korea	White envelope	No preference	Wearing white
Japan	Goshūgi, ~30,000 yen	Crisp new bills	Even numbers, 9, white
China	Hóngbāo (red envelope)	No preference	The number 4, white/black
US/West	Registry gift	(not cash)	Wearing white, skipping RSVP
India	Cash ending in 1	No preference	White/black clothing

Universal ground rules

Never outshine the bride — avoid white, overly revealing outfits, or excessive flash (India being a notable exception).
RSVP promptly and accurately.
Follow the dress code and start time stated on the invitation.
If you’re taking photos, don’t let it disrupt the ceremony itself.

At its core, wedding etiquette is about making sure the couple stays the center of attention. The specific customs change from place to place, but that underlying principle holds everywhere.